Gunmen attacked the area around the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, in Kuru, near Jos in Plateau State, in an assault that left three security operatives dead. The attack took place at night, drawing security agencies to the scene in the hours that followed.
According to the account of the incident, the attackers attempted to breach the perimeter fencing of the institute in a bid to force their way into the premises. The assault was repelled before the assailants could penetrate deeper into the grounds of the campus.
In its own statement, the management of NIPSS confirmed that a security incident had occurred near its campus early in the morning. It said security agencies responded swiftly to the situation and brought it under full control, stressing that the institute itself remained intact.
The institute moved to reassure the public, stating that all staff, participants and facilities were safe and that normal operations were continuing as scheduled. The message was aimed at calming anxiety around an institution that trains senior officials and policy leaders.
Officials said the incident lasted a little over an hour and that nobody was abducted during the attack, with conditions returning to normal afterwards. Security presence around the institute was reinforced in the wake of the assault to guard against any further attempt.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation into the event, with policemen and other security agencies present on the premises to examine what happened. The full scope of the incident was not immediately clear, as the matter was described as still being investigated.
NIPSS urged members of the public to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media, and promised to provide further official updates as the investigation progresses. For now, the institute said, the campus remains secure.